U.S. airlines expand peak-travel day fee

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- A number of U.S. airlines said flying on peak travel days during the holidays would cost extra and tagged 13 days to add a fee of $10 per ticket.

The policy began in September with American Airlines announcing a surcharge for most domestic flights for three days during Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve, USA Today reported Thursday.

Soon the rout was on. American, Delta, Northwest, United, Continental, and US Airways are among the carriers that have added peak travel day fees with the number of applicable days growing from three to thirteen.

Airlines have added surcharges to flights before or after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and busy days in March, April and May, the newspaper said.

"Never heard of such a surcharge," said Rick Seaney, chief executive officer of FareCompare.com.

Seemingly in disagreement, American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said, it was "very common to charge more for fares on peak demand days."

Carol Powell of Sylvania, Ohio, said, "airlines have lost all respect for their customers."

"The new peak-travel surcharge certainly does not communicate 'happy holidays' to me," said Judy Bowers of Houston.